The iPad, designed by Apple, might be the current ‘it-gadget’, but its popularity has perhaps inspired Sony to create an answer — introducing the new Dash.

It’s nowhere as fancy as the iPad, but the Dash, which retails for US$200 (US$300 less than its Apple counterpart) is a sleek, scaled-up device that combines the utility of a digital photo frame, alarm clock and Web viewer.

With the WiFi-enabled Dash, users are able to choose more than 1,000 free applications as it represents the new wave of streamlined, touch-screen devices that seem to be getting even smaller.

And though technology mecca Japan has mastered the art of miniature devices that are capable of mammoth tasks, the Dash was designed in North America, California to be exact, by a team of “very young executives”, according to the company’s website.

Its youthful edge is quite apparent since the new device is a glossy black wedge with a seven-inch touch screen. What’s more, when viewing an image on the Dash, the picture flips upright according to the angle at which it is turned. Of note also is that the Dash is able to allow users to view photos from online services like Photobucket or Facebook.

Users may also visit a number of categorised web content like Animals, Dating, Employment, Finance, Horoscopes, Shopping, etc. From these categories users may read updated blurbs on topics of their interests. There are, too, cool add-ons like music from Pandora (a popular music app), Amazon Video on Demand and YouTube. The website positions the ‘new toy’ as a great one for college students for whom space is usually a concern and convergence (having one device function like a TV, alarm clock, radio, Internet) would largely appeal to.

The Dash offers a more streamlined experience; however, the fear is that as with most Sony products, it might not be compatible with add-ons from other brands or clones.

It’s fairly lightweight at just 1.2 pounds, so portability is a definite plus; it’s seven inches wide and five inches long with a digital ambient light sensor.

The alarm clock feature is especially most convenient since users can set varied times at which to be alerted. For example: 7:00 pm on Mondays, but 7:45 on other days, without having to reset the timer.

The Dash is by no means the iPad, but for those looking to spend less it’s perhaps a suitable alternative.